What do you think about people not returning your greetings .....

I work with the public and enjoy greeting them , as it opens a line of communication ....but 50% of the time you are being ignored ....Here is a example ..Standing at the door of the aircraft ,Me: Welcome aboard , how are you doing today ?, may i help you to find your seat assignment ?....Passenger : look at me and walk away totally ignoring me ....

Later on during flight ....Me : Would you care for a beverage ?Passenger reading a magazine just shoo me away with a hand gesture .....not even a word ...

How difficult it is to return a greeting , or answering ," not at this time ,i am quite fine"

You're right, it's frustrating when you try to greet people in a friendly way and they ignore you or brush you off. But don't let it get to you. They don't mean it personally, they're just preoccupied with themselves, and aren't open to responding to a greeting. There are always the ones who do respond in a friendly way, sometimes the ones you least expect it of, and that makes up for it. A friendly greeting can cheer someone up a bit who's depressed, and it doesn't take much effort.

I can't answer you, because it's not how I behave. When I board an aircraft I always greet any flight crew standing there. And remain friendly and courteous throughout the flight.

I mean, these are the people I'd like to attend to me as I may need, why would I ignore them, or be disrespectful or insulting? DUH! Talk about working against my own best interests.

And like you, evidently, I just LIKE people. I like meeting them, starting a conversation, simply being friendly. I realize the flight attendants can't spend too much time with any one passenger, but I try to engage them, have a few friendly words, make this something other than an impersonal bus ride.

And yah know what? Most times I end up getting spoiled & pampered most shamefully, even when I'm not flying in First Class (some airlines no longer offer it, or not on certain routes). It pays to be nice to people, because then people will be nice to you. I can't imagine how anyone could follow some different formula.

I admire the hell out of anyone that works with the public or in customer service; I fucking hate the general public so much there's no way I would last one hour.

I go out of my way to be gentle and polite to people in service positions, since I know they get enough grief from assholes in the public as it is; they dont need me adding to it. I couldnt imagine NOT answering and shooing away someone being nice to me and asking if I would like something to drink.

I could, however, easily see myself 'accidentally' spilling hot ass coffee all over them, if I were the one doing the serving and they were rude to me.

How many people a day do you ask this to? If you ask it to EVERY PERSON who is walking by you do you expect everyone to adhere to the obnoxious "fine thanks" or do you expect them to tell you how they really feel? What if they have a lot of information to say but you have to say "how are you?" to 10 more people who have walked by since?

"How are you" is an American platitude that is meant to replace "hi" with pretenses of you caring about the person even though you don't. It's common in America and perplexes foreigners when Americans do this to them. Likewise the recipient of "how are you" is expected to reply with "fine thanks" as that is also a pretense that they care what you think and they are well. The truth is most people don't give a fuck when they say "hi how are you" and some people are sick and tired of hearing it. So some of them will ignore you or show you down by telling you how they really feel (which is actually entertaining and not necessarily insulting for you or anyone). Others will simply abide by your reinforcement of language prison and respond to you with another platitude.

My personal story: when people say "hi how are you" to me I tell them really loudly "I feel like shit," and usually have an entertaining 5 minute conversation or an awkward yet equally entertaining 30 seconds as they try to get me through the line as quickly as possible without my mouth creating any more vocal foux pas.

neffa saidI work with the public and enjoy greeting them , as it opens a line of communication ....but 50% of the time you are being ignored ....Here is a example ..Standing at the door of the aircraft ,Me: Welcome aboard , how are you doing today ?, may i help you to find your seat assignment ?....Passenger : look at me and walk away totally ignoring me ....

Later on during flight ....Me : Would you care for a beverage ?Passenger reading a magazine just shoo me away with a hand gesture .....not even a word ...

I can't answer you, because it's not how I behave. When I board an aircraft I always greet any flight crew standing there. And remain friendly and courteous throughout the flight.

I mean, these are the people I'd like to attend to me as I may need, why would I ignore them, or be disrespectful or insulting? DUH! Talk about working against my own best interests.

And like you, evidently, I just LIKE people. I like meeting them, starting a conversation, simply being friendly. I realize the flight attendants can't spend too much time with any one passenger, but I try to engage them, have a few friendly words, make this something other than an impersonal bus ride.

And yah know what? Most times I end up getting spoiled & pampered most shamefully, even when I'm not flying in First Class (some airlines no longer offer it, or not on certain routes). It pays to be nice to people, because then people will be nice to you. I can't imagine how anyone could follow some different formula.

neffa saidI work with the public and enjoy greeting them , as it opens a line of communication ....but 50% of the time you are being ignored ....Here is a example ..Standing at the door of the aircraft ,Me: Welcome aboard , how are you doing today ?, may i help you to find your seat assignment ?....Passenger : look at me and walk away totally ignoring me ....

Later on during flight ....Me : Would you care for a beverage ?Passenger reading a magazine just shoo me away with a hand gesture .....not even a word ...

Vaughn saidSome people just want to be left alone. Not everyone wants to exchange greetings.

Pls, If ppl feel the need to be left alone they should stay home and curb their funky attitude under their FAT ASS! It takes nothing away frm you to be polite and courteous and if that is so hard for one to achieve...... STAY HOME.

How many people a day do you ask this to? If you ask it to EVERY PERSON who is walking by you do you expect everyone to adhere to the obnoxious "fine thanks" or do you expect them to tell you how they really feel? What if they have a lot of information to say but you have to say "how are you?" to 10 more people who have walked by since?

"How are you" is an American platitude that is meant to replace "hi" with pretenses of you caring about the person even though you don't. It's common in America and perplexes foreigners when Americans do this to them. Likewise the recipient of "how are you" is expected to reply with "fine thanks" as that is also a pretense that they care what you think and they are well. The truth is most people don't give a fuck when they say "hi how are you" and some people are sick and tired of hearing it. So some of them will ignore you or show you down by telling you how they really feel (which is actually entertaining and not necessarily insulting for you or anyone). Others will simply abide by your reinforcement of language prison and respond to you with another platitude.

My personal story: when people say "hi how are you" to me I tell them really loudly "I feel like shit," and usually have an entertaining 5 minute conversation or an awkward yet equally entertaining 30 seconds as they try to get me through the line as quickly as possible without my mouth creating any more vocal foux pas.

If you go back to the beginning of the thread you will see that the "HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY" , is preceded with " WELCOME ABOARD "and then followed by "MAY I HELP YOU TO FIND YOUR SEAT ASSIGNMENT", this how the company wants us to greet passengers , when they enter the aircraft .

A smile makes me real happy , just don't ignore me !!! i am still a human being for sake .You are not the only one , that have answered our greetings with a : "i feel like shit today ", it has happened more than once , but it was always followed by a nice smile .....Don't tell me , it wasn't you ....

Vaughn saidSome people just want to be left alone. Not everyone wants to exchange greetings.

Pls, If ppl feel the need to be left alone they should stay home and curb their funky attitude under their FAT ASS! It takes nothing away frm you to be polite and courteous and if that is so hard for one to achieve...... STAY HOME.

Chill. People have places to go, even misanthropes. They're not hurting you by ignoring you. You hurt yourself when you freak out. You freak out for no reason. There's no need to call people a fat ass because they don't want to interact with you. I know you think you're important but nobody needs to pay attention to you.

Friendsrbetter saidThis reminds me of a story my niece told me a couple of years ago.She worked for a very private, exclusive airline owned by Warren Buffet. She arranged to have caterers prepare food and deliver it to the plane for her one exclusive client(s)....Arnold and Maria.Many times, members of the Kennedy clan were onboard, but the one who stood out the most was Maria's mother, Eunice Kennedy Schriver. Hon, you don't even want to know how rude and aloof this woman can be.... and consider yourself blessed that she doesn't fly "commercial".

Vaughn saidSome people just want to be left alone. Not everyone wants to exchange greetings.

Pls, If ppl feel the need to be left alone they should stay home and curb their funky attitude under their FAT ASS! It takes nothing away frm you to be polite and courteous and if that is so hard for one to achieve...... STAY HOME.

Chill. People have places to go, even misanthropes. They're not hurting you by ignoring you. You hurt yourself when you freak out. You freak out for no reason. There's no need to call people a fat ass because they don't want to interact with you. I know you think you're important but nobody needs to pay attention to you.

It's clear you have no HOME TRAINING! I'm not the one feeling superior it's you and your false sense of pride. My respect for myself and those that wrk in the service trade is what makes me acknowledge them reguardless of what mood i'm in. Your lack of self respect and your need to feel important is what makes you walk past someone who has acknowledged your presence and not do the same in return.

neffa saidI work with the public and enjoy greeting them , as it opens a line of communication ....but 50% of the time you are being ignored ....Here is a example ..Standing at the door of the aircraft ,Me: Welcome aboard , how are you doing today ?, may i help you to find your seat assignment ?....Passenger : look at me and walk away totally ignoring me ....

Later on during flight ....Me : Would you care for a beverage ?Passenger reading a magazine just shoo me away with a hand gesture .....not even a word ...

How difficult it is to return a greeting , or answering ," not at this time ,i am quite fine"

WTF happenened to Courtesy ......

if you've worked as a flight attendant all these years then obviously you dont say that to everyone boarding the flight. theres 200 people entering the cabin in a single file line... it doesnt seem practical to stop the line and ask how they are doing... in fact id be more inclined not to piss off the people behind me waiting to get to their seats than stop and chit chat with a complete stranger. it just seems odd that you would get upset about something so trivial.

Fortunately we do ......But i guess you don't get pissed off at the passenger who is blocking the aisle , stopping the line while trying to shove all his carry-ons in the overhead bin not caring that his fellow passenger will have no more room to stow his ...an another good example of lack of courtesy ....Don't you think one moment , the airlines doesn't do any researches on how to regulate the flow of entry , it might be reason for us greeting you in .

By the way , i am getting upset about the lack of courtesy that is all ..

Vaughn saidSome people just want to be left alone. Not everyone wants to exchange greetings.

Pls, If ppl feel the need to be left alone they should stay home and curb their funky attitude under their FAT ASS! It takes nothing away frm you to be polite and courteous and if that is so hard for one to achieve...... STAY HOME.

Chill. People have places to go, even misanthropes. They're not hurting you by ignoring you. You hurt yourself when you freak out. You freak out for no reason. There's no need to call people a fat ass because they don't want to interact with you. I know you think you're important but nobody needs to pay attention to you.

It's clear you have no HOME TRAINING! I'm not the one feeling superior it's you and your false sense of pride. My respect for myself and those that wrk in the service trade is what makes me acknowledge them reguardless of what mood i'm in. Your lack of self respect and your need to feel important is what makes you walk past someone who has acknowledged your presence and not do the same in return.

Not at all, I always smile and nod or exchange greetings. I've worked in service since I was 16 and some people just don't want to chat. It's nothing personal. They probably just assume people are acting so friendly because their job makes them. I don't need you to tell me anything about me, as you have no idea who I am. Pleasantries are irrelevant, it's not important.

neffa saidI work with the public and enjoy greeting them , as it opens a line of communication ....but 50% of the time you are being ignored ....Here is a example ..Standing at the door of the aircraft ,Me: Welcome aboard , how are you doing today ?, may i help you to find your seat assignment ?....Passenger : look at me and walk away totally ignoring me ....

Later on during flight ....Me : Would you care for a beverage ?Passenger reading a magazine just shoo me away with a hand gesture .....not even a word ...

How difficult it is to return a greeting , or answering ," not at this time ,i am quite fine"

WTF happenened to Courtesy ......

Understandable, but the first and last thing on my mind when boarding a plane is to get on and off as quickly as possible. I've been guilty of being a "diva" but it goes both ways, sometimes that extra tip or politeness falls on deaf ears and eyes especially if someone hates their job.

Believe me , if i didn't like my job , i wouldn't still be doing it after 33 years ..

Vaughn saidSome people just want to be left alone. Not everyone wants to exchange greetings.

Pls, If ppl feel the need to be left alone they should stay home and curb their funky attitude under their FAT ASS! It takes nothing away frm you to be polite and courteous and if that is so hard for one to achieve...... STAY HOME.

Chill. People have places to go, even misanthropes. They're not hurting you by ignoring you. You hurt yourself when you freak out. You freak out for no reason. There's no need to call people a fat ass because they don't want to interact with you. I know you think you're important but nobody needs to pay attention to you.

It's clear you have no HOME TRAINING! I'm not the one feeling superior it's you and your false sense of pride. My respect for myself and those that wrk in the service trade is what makes me acknowledge them reguardless of what mood i'm in. Your lack of self respect and your need to feel important is what makes you walk past someone who has acknowledged your presence and not do the same in return.

Not at all, I always smile and nod or exchange greetings. I've worked in service since I was 16 and some people just don't want to chat. It's nothing personal. They probably just assume your acting that way because their job makes them.

I get what you're saying, however I'm not talking about chating and trying to find out about what kind of day this paticular person is having. All i'm saying is having the courtesy of acknowledging someone that spoke to you. You don't have to reply w/ your life story but w/ enough decency so that employee doesn't feel like a complete ass, which in turn could have a spiral effect and now that employee feels discouraged and not willing to greet anyone then all of a sudden your faced w/ someone screaming bad customer service...

I agree with some of what you are saying, but there are people out there who can be very polite. Be assurred, if you addressed me in that way, I would have responded with something... then a "thank you".

I was telling my bf over the weekend that about 70% of the time I get thanked when I hold a door open for the person following me, but that about 30% of the time the person says nothing. I encountered one of those people over the weekend (which precipitated the conversation with my bf).I said "your welcome" when they didn't way anything back.

You are paid to be polite however. We all have to be professional (and polite) in our professional roles... but that doesn't excuse the rude....